September 2011 In This Issue

Thanks to JHS, we're giving away an Elements stereo sstem to one lucky SOS reader this month. The prize consists of two EF45 system bases, two EA600 600W power amps, two EP1 connection poles and two E435 'mid and high' cabinets, all worth just over £2,000.

This month, thanks to Telefunken Electroakustik, we're delighted to be able to offer an ELA M260 Stereo Set as our competition prize. Released at this year's Summer NAMM, the set comprises two M260s each with interchangeable capsules, elastic shockmount, custom dual power supply, two 25-foot mic cables and a locking leather-bound flight case.

Blue Sky have earned a strong reputation for their sealed-cabinet speakers, but in their latest model they’ve opted for a ported design. How do the newcomers compare with their infinite‑baffle cousins?

This year’s Glastonbury Festival boasted a recording studio built of straw — complete with 24‑track tape and grand piano. SOS followed Joe Leach’s project all the way from blue-sky thinking to muddy reality.

We all know music is getting louder. But is it less dynamic? Our ground-breaking research proves beyond any doubt that the answer is no — and that popular beliefs about the 'loudness war' need a radical rethink.

We explore some of the most common causes of mix failure we’ve tackled in our monthly Mix Rescue column. Banish these demons and you’re most of the way to a devilishly good mix! Here are ten reasons why your mixes don’t work — and what you can do about it!